History of Alcoholics Anonymous — How AA Was Founded

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio. Bill was a stockbroker from New York who had tried everything to stop drinking and failed. Bob was a surgeon whose alcoholism had nearly destroyed his career and marriage. Their first meeting lasted for hours. Dr. Bob had his last drink on June 10, 1935 — a date AA considers its birthday.

The Writing of the Big Book

By 1939, the fellowship had grown to about 100 members. Bill Wilson set about writing their collective experience down — not as a religious text, but as a practical guide to recovery. The result was Alcoholics Anonymous, known as the Big Book. It was written in plain, direct language and has been translated into dozens of languages. The 4th Edition, published in 2001, is the current standard.

Why the History Matters

Understanding where the Big Book came from helps you read it differently. These weren't theologians or academics. They were alcoholics who had found a way out and were desperate to share it. The urgency and directness of the writing comes from that. Every word was chosen carefully, with specific meaning — which is why AABlueBook's 1930s dictionary changes how you read and understand it.

Read the complete Big Book with full historical context in AABlueBook. Free year on iOS: bit.ly/aabfree.